Saturday, December 21, 2013

Cranberry Sparkling Martini



Cranberry Sparkling Martini

Can't believe it's only a few days from Christmas!  Are you in the Holiday mood yet?  If not, give this Cranberry Sparkling Martini a try and you will be in the Holiday mood for sure.  Forget about the holiday baking and chaotic shopping malls for a while.  Let's relax with a Holiday drink, and cheers!

Cranberry Sparkling Martini

I love the slightly sweet and tart flavors from this Cranberry Sparkling Martini.  First, I prepare the cranberry syrup by cooking up some fresh cranberries with some water, sugar and orange peels.  Let the syrup steep a little so the flavor really infused into the syrup.  When you're ready to put the cocktail together, prepare the orange zest sugar rim for the martini glasses.  The orange zest is so fragrant and refreshing, and truly brightens up this drink.  Not only the sugar rim tastes wonderful with this drink, it makes the martini glasses super festive as well.

Cranberry Sparkling Martini

I finished up the drink by shaking up some vodka, sherry, and the cranberry syrup along with some ice.  Then, top off the glasses with some champagne, or you can use processo as well.  The bubbly is so refreshing and makes this Cranberry Sparkling Martini really sparkle, fun and festive.

Cranberry Sparkling Martini

Now, you've got a festive and refreshing cocktail under your sleeves, hope you'll give this a try on your next gathering.  Cheers!




Please drink responsibly.  Health and General Disclaimers.




Cranberry Sparkling Martini (Printable Recipe)
Serves: 2

Ingredients for the Cranberry Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 orange, peels only

Ingredients for the orange zest sugar rim:
zest of one orange
3 tablespoons of sugar
a wedge of orange

Ingredient for the martini:
1/4 cup Cranberry Syrup
2 ounces of Vodka
1 ounce dry sherry
Chilled champagne or processo
a few fresh cranberries, for garnish

To prepare the Cranberry Syrup:
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil.  Add the cranberry and orange zest and cook in medium heat for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let the syrup steep until completely cooled.  Strain and remove the solids.  Chill the cranberry syrup until ready to use.

To prepare the sugar rim:
Place orange zest and sugar in a shallow plate.  Gently toss to combine and set aside until ready to sue.

To prepare the Cranberry Sparkling Martini:
Chill the martini glasses.  With a wedge of orange, go around the rims of the martini glasses and moisten the rims.  Place the glasses up-side-down onto the zest-sugar mixture to coat the rims.  Set aside.

Place the cranberry syrup, vodka, sherry and fill the cocktail shaker with ice; then shake for 20 seconds.  Strain into 2 martini glasses and fill up the glass with champagne.  Last but not least, garnish with a few fresh cranberries.  Cheers and enjoy!

44 comments:

  1. PRETTY!
    I shall be adding these to my menu!
    Thank you, Amy. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, My Dear! Hope you and your guests liked it. Cheers and all the best in 2014.

      Delete
  2. Lovely colours and this drink will sure put anyone in the festive spirit. Have a wonderful Christmas Amy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Veronica. We had a wonderful Christmas. Hope yours was just as bright. :) Happy 2014!

      Delete
  3. What a refreshing drink! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Amy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mun. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas too and happy 2014!

      Delete
  4. We love your post, a good idea for our menu...
    Merry Christmas Amy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Laurel. Hope yo had a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2014!

      Delete
  5. Amy, I'd love to have a glass of this festive drink for Christmas too! Look so beautiful!
    Happy Dongzhi & Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Ann. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration with your family too. All the best in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Thank you, Angie. Happy New Year to you and yours.

      Delete
  7. What a lovely festive drink! Cheers to that! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Hope you and your family had a nice celebration too. happy 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  8. This looks like such a pretty festive drink Amy :) Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Kelly. Hope you and your family had a great celebration too. All the best in 2014!

      Delete
  9. Gosh, this looks so pretty! Love the color, and the flavor sounds awesome. Good stuff - thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mr. KR. Glad you love this gorgeous drink too. Cheers!

      Delete
  10. What a gorgeous cocktail! Very festive and I bet it tastes great, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Abbe. Yes, it was so delicious. Wish you and your family a wonderful 2014!

      Delete
  11. Here is a toast to you and a beautiful festive cocktail. I think shopping would be a lot less painful after a couple of these cocktails.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, BAM! Can't believe the holiday gone by so fast! Hope you and your family had a nice celebration! Cheers to you for a wonderful 2014!

      Delete
  12. They are so festive looking, a perfect holiday drink.
    Happy Holiday my dear!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Asha. Cheers to you and all the best in 2014!

      Delete
  13. The colour of this martini is simply perfect beyond belief :D

    Happy Holidays!
    CCU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you CCU! Happy New Year and all the best in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  14. Hey Amy! Cheers and have a drink on us! Wonderful holiday cocktail, now I know what we will be serving our guests when they arrive! Have a Merry Christmas!! All the best to your family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Hope you had a wonderful celebration with you family too. Wishing you good health and all the best in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  15. I made up a sparkling pomegranate drink the other night. Bubbly drinks are so festive. Have a merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Oh yes they are. I love Pom and can't wait to check out your recipe. I can always use a little bubbly here and there! Happy New Year! Cheers!

      Delete
  16. Cheers! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Hope you had a wonderful celebration with your family too. Cheers to you and all the best in 2014!

      Delete
  17. This sounds like a festive cocktail. I have you have had a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Hope you had a wonderful celebration with your family too. Cheers!

      Delete
  18. Whoopee and Cheers to you! This cocktail looks great and also healthy - with lots of Vitamin C from the cranberries. Happy New Year! (Fran from G'day Souffle')

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Fran. Happy New Year to you and yours. All the best in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  19. Nice and refreshing shoots.....
    Merry christmas, wish you a Happy New Year then my friend !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dear. Hope you had a wonderful celebration with your loved ones. Happy New Year and all the best in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  20. Hi Amy, that look good and refreshing. Love the beautiful color.

    Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. Wishing you all the best in 2014.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Amelia. Hope you had a great celebration with your family. All the best to you and yours in 2014!

      Delete
  21. Sparkling Martini sounds great! Pass me a glass, won't you? Happy 2014, Amy! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shirley. Hope you had a wonderful celebration. All the best to you in 2014! Cheers!

      Delete
  22. Perfect drink for the holiday season. love the color of the drink and presentation...:-)

    www.jiboombaa.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Glad you like this drink. Wish you and your family a wonderful 2014 ahead.

      Delete